Methane leak

A methane leak is a significant natural gas leak. The term is used for a class of methane emissions, which can come from an industrial facility or pipeline.

Satellite data enables the identification of super-emitter events (synonymous with ultra-emitters, see "Mitigation of Ultra-Emitters") that produce methane plumes. Over 1,000 methane leaks of this type were found worldwide in 2022. As with other gas leaks, a leak of methane is a safety hazard: coalbed methane in the form of fugitive gas emission has always been a danger to miners. Methane leaks also have a serious environmental impact. Natural gas contain methane, ethane, and other gases, which from the safety and environmental point of view raise major issues with atmospheric composition and human health.

As a greenhouse gas and climate change contributor, methane ranks second, following carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel exploration, transportation and production is responsible for about 40% of human-caused methane emissions. Smaller leaks than can be spotted from space comprise long tail of emissions. They can be identified from planes flying at 900 meters (3,000 ft). According to Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency, "Methane emissions are still far too high, especially as methane cuts are among the cheapest options to limit near-term global warming".